Trolling fin



March 3, 1931.

F: F ENDERsoN 1,795,205

TROLLING FIN Filed Feb. 8, 1929 INVENTOR. fiunkflflendenson,

Patented Mar. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES FRANK E. FENDERSON, OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA TROLLING FIN Application filed February 8, 1929. Serial No. 338,523.

This invention relates to a trolling fin particularly adapted for use in connection with a trolling line employing a spoon or spinner.

Vhen trolling for fish. it is a well known.

expedient to employ a swivel connection between the main line and leader but this expedient has been found defective for the prevention of twisting of the main line. due to the friction in the swivel connection, caused by the resistance of the spoon or spinner.

To overcome the gripping action of such friction. weights or sinkers have been secured to the main line adjacent the swivel. but the employment of such weights resulted in the 5 hooks being drawn so far under the surface as to be useless for shallow water fishing.

The primary object of this invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth.

a trolling fin by means of which the rotary movement which is imparted to the leader by the spoon or spinner may be prevented from being transmitted to the main line, without imparting any depressing action on the hook. thereby adapting the trolling fin for use in shallow water fishing.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view. the invention consists of the novel construction. combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described. and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown preferred embodiments of my invention. but it is to be r understood that such drawings and description are to be taken as illustrative and that the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a perspective view of the trollin; line showing an embodiment of my invention in association therewith.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of such embodiment in operative position on a line.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of my invention.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of another modified form of my invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of still another modified form of my invention.

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2-.

Referring to the drawing in detail, with 5 particular reference to Figure 1, the numerals 1 and 2 respectively designate a main line and leader of a type commonly used in troll ing. Secured to one end of the leader 2 by means of a swivel connection 3, is a hook 4 upon which is mounted a spoon 5. Secured to the opposite end of the leader 2 is a swivel connection 6 which in the ordinary construction of trolling lines would be secured to the main line 1.

My invention consists of a fin 7 secured to a length of wire 8, which is interposed between the main line 1 and the swivel connection 6. The fin 7 is of substantially fish tail formation and consists of an anchoring end portion 9. a flaring free end portion 10. and an intermediate. elongated, arcuate neck portion 11 connecting the end portions 9 and 10.

The anchoring portion 9 is of materially greater width than the neck portion 11 and is bent around the Wire 8 for the purpose of fixedly securing the fin thereto.

The same embodiment of my invention is illustrated in Figure 2 but the trolling line therein shown in association with my improved fin includes a link 12 for connecting the wire 8 upon which the fin is mounted with the swivel connection 6.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the fin 13 consists of an anchoring end portion 14. a tapering free end portion 15 formed with a straight edge 16 and an arcuate edge 17, and an intermediate. short. Wide neck portion 18 connecting the end portions 14 and 15. The anchoringend portion 14 is bent upon itself and formed midway between its vertical edges with an arcuate notch 19, thereby dividing the anchoring portion 14 into a forward part 20 and a rearward part 21. The fin 13 is fixedly secured to a length of wire by inserting the latter within. the bend of the forward part 20. The rearward part 21 is swivelly mounted on a length of Wire 23 which is adapted for connection with a leader, thereby eliminating the necessity of the usual swivel connection.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the fin 24 consists of an anchoring portion 25 which is fixedly secured to a length of wire 26, and a long, narrow, arcuate, tapering portion 27 projecting upwardly and rearwardly from the anchoring portion 25. The anchoring portion 25 is of materially greater width than the portion 27 at the widest point of the latter.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the fin 28 is relatively short and wide and of arcuate formation, having a blunt free end 29 and having its opposite end 30 fixedly secured to a length of wire 31.

My trolling fin is preferably made of a light metal and the body portion thereof is of flat formation having plane sides. When trolling therewith the fin is maintained in an upstanding position by the pressure of the water on the plane sides of the flat body portion of the fin as the latter is drawn therethrough. The pressure of the water on either side of the fin prevents the latter from rotating with the leader and due to the fixed connection between the fin and main line, the latter is also prevented from rotating or twisting.

It is thought that the many advantages of a trolling fin in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiments are as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be made, Which fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An attachment for fish lines comprising, a fin including a fiat elongated body portion having means at one end for fixedly connecting it with a line, said body portion having its opposite end and side edges free of connection with the line, said side edges being curved in the same direction from said means, one of said side edges being materially longer than the other, said body portion having plane sides whereby the fin will be maintained in an upright position by the pressure of the water on said plane sides when the line is drawn longitudinally through the water.

2. An attachment for fish lines comprising, a fin, means for interposing the fin between a leader and a main line, said fin including a fiat elongated body portion having one end bent upon itself to snugly overlap said means and fixedly secure the fin thereto to prevent relative movement between the fin and means, said body portion having its opposite end and side edges free of connection with said means, leader and line, said side edges being curved in the same direction from the bent end of the body portion, one of said side edges being of materially greater length than the other, said body portion having sides whereby the fin will be maintained in an upright osition b water on sai plane si es when the main line is drawn lon tudinally through the water.

3. In a tro ling a paratus, a main line, a hook provided Wit a spinner, a leader swivelly connected with the hook, a connectmg element leader and fixedly connected with the main line, and a fin including a fiat elongated body portion extending in an are from said 'connecting element, said body portion having one end fixedly secured to said connecting element and having its opposite end and side edges free, said body portion having plane swivelly connected with the plane the pressure of the sides whereby the fin will be maintained in an upright position with respect to the longitudinal plane of the main line by the pres' sure of the water on said plane ,sides when the main line is drawn through the water.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature FRANK E. FENDERSON.

hereto. 

